First Openly LGBT fighter in UFC is...

QueertyLiz “Girlrilla” Carmouche has become the first openly gay competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The 28-year-old mixed-martial artist and former marine signed with the UFC on Thursday.

“I thought, of all things, a male-dominated sport and a sport where you’re engaging in this physical combat, that I was definitely going to come across that,” she told MMAFighting.com in July. “I thought I’d come into contact with some stereotypical person who’s anti-homosexuality, whether it be men or women. But I found the opposite. All they care about is a good, quality person who’s a good training partner.”

Carmouche, whose fans haven taken to calling themselves “Lizbos,” has lined up a sparring partner: She and fellow bantamweight Ronda Rousey will be the first female headliners in a major bout at UFC 157 in February.

We’d wish Carmouche luck but anyone who can survive Don’t Ask Don’t Tell can hold her own in the octagon.

FranciscoC saidHey man, give credit were credit is due, The first out MMA fighter was Shad Smith.

Good for him!

Of course, as noted in the title, and as we reemphasized earlier (and will probably have to again), Shad (BAMMA, King of the Cage, etc.) never fought in a UFC-sanctioned bout. There are scores if not thousands of openly LGBT competitors in lower-tiered MMA outfits. Like Shad, the first known openly gay one, as reported back in 2008. Here's an RJ thread from back in the day on Shad: http://www.realjock.com/gayforums/132007

"Girl-rilla" Carmouche was the first openly LGBT participant in a UFC bout. Not only that, but she was also a participant in the first UFC women's bout.

She gave it a good go, and almost tapped out Rousey! But Rousey's armbar game is still too strong.